Judge rules former Rep. Kathy Sims should stay on ballot

Less than a week after she was knocked off the ballot, former Idaho state Rep. Kathy Sims was granted another chance to return to the Legislature. First District Judge Richard S. Christensen ruled Friday that Sims, the owner of Coeur d’Alene Honda who previously served in the Legislature, should remain on the May 15 primary ballot; you can read a full report here from S-R reporter Will Campbell.

Earlier this week the Idaho secretary of state’s office told county officials that she was ineligible to run for the District 3 seat that includes Post Falls because she has not been a registered elector in that district a year before the November general election. Sims previously represented District 4, which represents Coeur d’Alene. Sims, 75, is facing Tony Wisniewski in the Republican primary.

“The voters have been trusting me for years,” Sims said after the hearing.

Former state Rep. Phil Hart also was booted from the ballot for similar reasons as he attempts a comeback in District 7, claiming a Kellogg address; a judge will consider that case next week.